Getting Pretty – Can you Wear Makeup Right after a Face Lift?

One of the most commonly asked questions for face lift doctors in Miami is if you can wear makeup right after a face lift. While it may seem like a very straight forward question the answer is actually a little bit complex and varies from person to person.

Makeup Post Face Lift

You can begin wearing makeup after a face lift in Miami as soon as you’re up for it so long as you are careful and keep a few different things in mind.

Wait until you can safely wash your face. It is recommended that you wait at least 24 hours after the procedure before you wash your face and hair. With that in mind we recommend you wait that long as well to apply makeup so you can take the makeup off at the end of the day. Keep in mind that during those early days you will still have an open wound on your face so extra care should be taken when removing your makeup to make sure that it doesn’t get in the wound. Do this by using less water and gently removing the makeup away from the wound.

Don’t wear makeup that can block your pores. You’ll experience quite a bit of swelling after a face lift which can be incredibly uncomfortable to begin with, the last thing you want is to be battling pimples. Longwear foundations are especially bad for clogging pores on your face so it is best to avoid them if at all possible. Other types of makeup that can irritate the skin are powders and blushes. Also if your makeup is older or past the expiration date then it is best not to wear it until the swelling has gone down.

Don’t apply pressure to your face when applying makeup. When you apply and remove makeup you’re very gently putting pressure on and manipulating your skin. This will irritate the wound and prolong the healing process. So while you’re applying and removing makeup go slowly and don’t press on your skin. This will also save you from any extra pain due to the swelling.

Keep makeup five millimeters from the sutures. Makeup isn’t sterile and should never enter a wound. It will irritate the wound and could possibly cause an infection. With that in mind keep your makeup at least five millimeters, about half the width of your thumb, away from the sutures from your face lift. If you aren’t sure of your abilities or there is a good chance of your face getting wet you should wait on wearing makeup until your sutures are removed.

Using Makeup to Mask Swelling and Bruising Post Face Lift

The good news is that makeup can be used to mask swelling and bruising that will come up as a result of your face lift. To help hide the swelling you will want to do contouring. To do this you’ll need a color two shades lighter and a color two shades darker than your usual foundation. Make use of highlights and shadows to emphasize the angles on your nose, chin, and cheekbones. This will give you a more angular face and hide the puffy swelling. This is best done about two weeks after your face lift, once the sutures have been removed.

Bruising can often happen as a result of the swelling which causes your capillaries to become compromised. This most commonly happens around the eyes though it can happen anywhere on your face. To hide bruising around the eyes use a concealer or foundation. Color correcting makeup can also be an incredibly useful tool for hiding any minor bruising or changes in the color of your skin.

To heal the fastest and with fewer risks of complication it is best you wait to wear makeup for two weeks when you have your sutures removed, but if done carefully you can begin wearing makeup as soon as you’re comfortable doing so. Just keep all the concerns from this article in mind when you’re considering wearing makeup after your face lift and take care when handling your face. If you have any concerns about any part of your daily routine or if you should do a particular activity don’t hesitate to call your Miami face lift specialists at PSI Miami and we will be happy to help you with all your concerns.

You should also keep in mind that after the healing from your face lift has finished your makeup routine will change completely as you adjust to the new you, so don’t be surprised if you end up needing completely new makeup. You’ll have a lot of experimenting to do as you find what works best with your face now. Don’t be afraid to try something new, but most of all, do what makes you happy.